Zita M. Manuel, age 85, of Maple Lake died on Monday, April 20, 2015 at the St. Cloud Hospital.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 am, Monday, April 27, 2015 at St. Timothy Catholic Church, Maple Lake with Fr. Martin Shallbetter and Deacon Ron Freeman officiating. Burial will follow at St. Timothy's Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 1:00-5:00 pm on Sunday, April 26, 2015 at Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel, Maple Lake and from 9:00-10:00 am Monday at the funeral chapel. A prayer service will be held at 3:00 pm on Sunday.

Zita Margaret Manuel was born on January 18, 1930 to John and Frances (Zwilling) Steichen in Maine Prairie Township, Stearns County, Minnesota. On November 16, 1950 Zita was united in holy matrimony to Andrew Manuel at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Kimball. They resided in Cold Spring and Monticello before moving to Maple Lake in 1952. Along with her husband, Andrew, Zita owned and operated Andy's Red Owl in Maple Lake. Andrew preceded her in death on March 25, 1987. Zita was a member of St. Timothy's Catholic Church, the Council of Catholic Women and the Catholic Order of Foresters. She also belonged to the Maple Lake American Legion Auxiliary, Maple Lake VFW Auxillary, Maple Lake Senior Citizens and the Wright County Volunteer Drivers. Zita was a former board member and Chairperson of the Council on Aging for the 5 county area and she served on the Maple Lake City Council.  Zita enjoyed sewing, playing cards, quilting, running Manuels Costume Shop and spending time with her family.

Zita is survived by her children Roger (Katie), Carol Chandler, Lawrence (Louie), all of Maple Lake, Alice Manuel (Karen Bylander) of Albertville, and Paul (Angie) of Annandale; 10 grandchildren Jason, Ryan, Sara, Mandy, Danny, Orin, Kari, Andy, Laura and Nathan; 3 great grandchildren, Andrew "AJ", Oliver, and George; siblings, Theresa (Warren) Theisen of St. Cloud and Rose Weineke of Cold Spring; and many nieces, nephews and other family members and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband Andrew; son Bruce; brothers Robert, Roman, Joseph and Bernard Steichen; and sisters Agnes Hentges and Helen Anderson Holt.

Jason, Ryan, Orin, Andy, Nathan Manuel and Danny Chandler will serve as pallbearers with Mandy Chandler, Sara Hayes, Kari Buttenhoff and Laura Manuel as honorary pallbearers. Sarah Goelz and Krista Elsenpeter Tarbox will provide music for the service.  Arrangements are entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial & Cremation Services of Maple Lake.